Nine days at home has been pleasant. I’ve switched things up a bit by keeping my socializing to a minimum to invite an easeful schedule for the van turnaround and yard work that awaited me upon our return. This last trip was short and sweet — just about 4 weeks — so Vanda did not need a deep clean, merely a routine cleaning. I’ve mentioned several times in previous posts that I cherish making, then following, a ToDo list to keep me on an efficient work path. Some of the must do’s:
- Clean the coffee pot with a vinegar brew rinse followed by five water brew rinses.
- Clean the fridge thoroughly.
- Vacuum the floors, followed by hand-washing the floor mats in the van’s cab (they only stay clean for like one day, but that day is a good day for me!). Wipe down the dash board area and cup holders.
- I do have a little hand vac that I use periodically, and I do wash the floor mats every couple of weeks while we travel.
- Remove all of the bins from Vanda’s garage, restock them or clean whatever is inside, then wipe them down before arranging them back inside.
- Wash the sheets and towels, of course. I do this every week while we travel but as I cannot stand the smell of commercial laundry soap and especially those dryer sheets–two smells that permeate all pubic laundromats–I am happy to wash everything at home using my own fave soap.
- Speaking of faves, I get to go to my fave store in town, Sixth and Zero. The owner Mary is one of my favorite people in Evansville and maybe in the world, and as well, she stocks her marvelous store with all things sustainable, reusable, and earth-friendly. This is where I buy our bars of soap, which she makes in-house; bulk liquid laundry, dish, and hand soap; dishwasher tablets; bamboo “paper towels” for Vanda which I am able to use several times before having to toss them; but perhaps what is most special is that Mary stocks bulk organic grains and herbs to refill my own containers, and the best chocolate bars ever! I shop there after every trip!
I love this type of methodical work! I always have. These chores allow for a wandering mind, something that is good for all of us every now and again.
Ah, the yard work. That is another story. I was actually feeling about as “anxious” as I ever get when we first got home. There was SO much rain during the month we were gone that the fellow who was going to keep things weeded and tidy was not able to stay on top of it, so I returned to a jungle. Truly. The lovely ceramic art out front was literally unable to be seen as the Wild Petunias and New England Asters had grown at least 1 1/2 feet tall, in front of it. The Monarda was too tall; the Coreopsis had grown leggy; and the Nine Bark bush was insanely-out-of-control huge. That was just the front yard! The backyard beds and pots were imperiled due to the massive growth of the Mulberry Tree and the Dogwood Bush as they were both so large that they cast excessive shade onto the sun-loving plants. Fortunately, I was able to arrange for a tree guy to come out to significantly limb up the trees and bushes, both in the front and back — he did such a wonderful job! I am a visual observer, meaning that if my space is in chaos, be it in the house, van, or yard, I feel … internal chaos. I am sort of a pain in the ass that way, I like tidiness and orderliness. Some of you know this about me! Anyhow, with sunlight streaming in now, with tidiness once again restored, I am much happier about the yard. There is a young man who has just graduated from high school who comes over twice a week to weed the brick walkways and patio, and I have taught him how to deadhead the flowers that benefit from that weekly summer task; there is a woman who is new to me as a gardener, although I have known her for years. She will be tending the yard in my absence over the summer and fall. We are still getting to know one another but if she can support my vision for how this yard should look, then she is in! It is still difficult for me to have put so much loving work over many years into this yard only to leave it for weeks and now months on end. To see so many vibrant plants just about to burst forth with blooms, but leaving home before that actually occurs is tough for us, particularly since John delights in photographing the progression of the yard blooms. First world dilemma, I am well aware. There are a few exceptions, one being the stunning Indian Pink shared at the top of the blog post, another is …
We hosted a small gathering of friends for a potluck dinner which was our one foray into socializing. That, and we did attend the marvelous, wonderful, love fest of a PRIDE parade in downtown Evansville yesterday. I love Evansville! Our peoples shine a beacon of light and hope into a darker world around us! This is John’s favorite photo from the parade; here is this link to more photos he made, which are on his website. (All of his photos are downloadable without a fee, FYI) Happy PRIDE!
So. How have I been finding balance? First off, I have stopped reading the various current events newsletters that come to my inbox. [all but Heather Cox Richardson, that is] I am even hesitant to watch late night comedy as even with good humor and talent, the constant exposure to the chaos coming from our government is too upsetting. This intentional diminishment of daily news has helped my emotional well-being significantly. While my country falls apart, I get to ride my bike, or hike in local parks, or clean the van, or prep meals, or tend to my yard…I also journal, being sure to write about my feelings of worry, outrage, and sadness. I sit at my alter and breathe. Mostly though, what I realize to be my truth, is that being outside, particularly if I am in the forest, is a true means to feeling soothed, aligned with my spiritual being, and balanced. It doesn’t always work, but I keep at it.
We leave this morning for another fabulous adventure, all the way up to Ontario, Canada via Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, and New York, then home through Missouri, Kansas, and Kentucky — this will be a 7000-mile trip. I wish for you to know balance, may you seek it in whatever activity, venue, or spiritual space that brings you a sense of soothing. xo
